System for carrying portable device

ABSTRACT

A system for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle or vehicle. In particular, an ergonomic system for carrying and securing portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and the like on a person in a manner that reduces stress on the human body and that prevents the device from being lost or dropped. The system allows a person to carry one or more portable devices that are secured against loss or damage, while the carrier&#39;s hands are free for other activities. The portable devices are maintained in proximity to the person&#39;s body, allowing unencumbered access to the device when desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems for carrying a portable device, e.g., a portable electronic device, on a person, bicycle or vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to systems for carrying a portable device in a manner that prevents the device from being lost or dropped.

Portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and the like have become increasingly popular. The size and weight of such devices have generally been reduced as a result of technological advance, to a point where users frequently carry one or more such devices in their pockets, in purses or bags, or clipped to their belts or other clothing. In the process of using and stowing these devices, it is not uncommon that the device slips from a user's hand and drops, often suffering damage that is expensive to repair and rendering the device inoperable or even irretrievable. In the case of cellular phones stored in a purse or bag, it may be difficult to hear the phone ringing or the OFF or ringer button on the phone could be accidentally pressed by other contents of the purse or bag.

Some handheld devices are provided with a wrist strap or lanyard that is permanently attached to the device, which a user may grip or wrap around their wrist to reduce the likelihood that the device will be dropped. It is also known to attach a cellular phone to a neck strap or lanyard.

In addition, devices are known for tethering gear and personal articles and, more particularly, for tethering personal communication devices such as cellular phones, pagers and PDAs to a person. U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2003/0042348 A1 discloses a retracting tether connected to a lanyard by means of a disconnection mechanism, the other end of the lanyard being connected to a personal communication device. A holster is provided for storing the personal communication device when not in use. The retracting tether and the holster are shown clipped to a belt. U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2005/0072819 A1 also discloses a tethering device and a holster, both mounted to a belt, for respectively securing and storing a cell phone.

If a portable electronic device is dropped on a hard surface or in water, it can be damaged and rendered inoperable. Also a portable device can be easily lost or stolen if the person carrying the device momentarily forgets to secure or guard it. There is a need for improved systems for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle, vehicle or anything near or in close proximity to the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system for carrying and securing portable devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras, keys, utensils or tools on a person, bicycle, vehicle or anything near or in close proximity to the body. In particular, the invention is directed to an ergonomic system for carrying and securing portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones, IPOD® devices, digital cameras on a person in a manner that reduces stress on the human body.

The system comprises a tethering device having a retractable line of flexible material wound on a reel and a universal adapter connected to an end of the retractable line of the tethering device. The portable device to be carried and secured is coupled to the universal adapter by another line or a loop of flexible material. The tethering device can be attached to various wearable means for enabling a person to carry and secure the portable device in proximity to his/her body. The wearable means in accordance with various embodiments comprise a neck cord or strap, a waistband or belt, a wrist, arm or leg band, or a clip, cord or loop that attaches to a buttonhole or a belt loop. Alternatively, the tethering device can be attached to a cord, strap, belt, band, clip or loop that is hung from a bag or purse, from a backpack, or from a component of a bicycle or a vehicle such as a car or truck. In the case of a cord, the tethering device may be attached to a cord locking device that can be unlocked to allow the position of the tethering device on the cord to be adjusted.

Each system disclosed hereinbelow may be sold as part of a respective kit that includes one male adapter part and multiple female adapter parts. The multiple female adapter parts may be attached to respective portable devices so that those devices can be interchangeably carried using the same system. Furthermore, different support systems could be included in the same kit, each support system having its own male adapter part. Again a multiplicity of female adapter parts could be included in such a kit to facilitate use of different portable devices with the various support systems.

One aspect of the invention is a system comprising: first and second mutually interlocked adapter parts; a housing having a recess; a rotatable reel housed within the housing; and a retractable line of flexible material having one end attached to the reel and another end attached to the first adapter part, wherein the first adapter part and the housing recess are mutually interlockable, the line of flexible material being alternately extendible and retractable while the first adapter part is not interlocked with the housing recess.

Another aspect of the invention is a system comprising a loop and a tethering device suspended from the loop, the tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material. Optionally, the loop may take the form of a flexible neck cord that passes through a cord lock to which the tethering device may be mounted. The cord lock is releasably slidable along the cord for adjusting the position of a tethered portable device.

A further aspect of the invention is a system comprising a buckle and a tethering device mounted to the buckle, the tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the buckle is attached to a belt worn around the waist of a person Other aspects of the invention are disclosed and claimed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings showing front views of a cell phone depending from a cord by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1 the line is shown partially extracted; in FIG. 2, the line is shown fully retracted.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a front view of a cell phone depending from a cord by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a sectional view of a cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a side view of a tethering device adjustably mounted to a cord (partly shown) by means of a cord locking device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a method for attaching a cell phone having an opening to a female adapter part using a loop of thin flexible material threaded through the opening in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a method for attaching a cell phone having no opening to a female adapter part using a loop of thin flexible material and a small panel adhered to the cell phone in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part, one end of which is attached to a line of flexible material wound on a reel of a tethering device. The dashed circle represents the reel housing of the tethering device, while the tongue-shaped dashed line represents the female adapter part, which is in turn connected to a loop of flexible material having a portion that is designed to facilitate easy threading through an opening.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part having one end plugged into a socket or receptacle of a housing of a tethering device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The housing of the tethering device is shown in cross section.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a double-ended male adapter part having a double-pronged end plugged into a socket or receptacle of a housing of a tethering device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The housing of the tethering device is shown in cross section.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a system comprising a tethering device with universal adapter mounted to a cord locking device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a belt buckle by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a belt loop by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a drawing showing a cell phone depending from a wrist band by means of a tethering device having a retractable line and a universal adapter attached to the retractable line in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 19 through 21 are drawings showing respective cord fastening devices that are designed to release quickly when the fastener components are pulled apart.

FIG. 22 is a drawing showing a further embodiment whereby two tethering systems are supported by the same neck cord, thereby allowing two portable devices to be carried by the person wearing the neck cord.

Reference will now be made to the drawings in which similar parts in different drawings bear the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention will now be disclosed with reference to the drawings. The components are not drawn to scale. Each of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter has a tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material, the end of which is attached to a universal adapter. More specifically, the tethering device comprises a flexible line having one end anchored to a reel that is rotatably mounted inside a housing. When the reel is caused to rotate in a certain direction, the extended portion of the flexible line will be wound on the reel and thereby retracted. A spring or other means can be used to cause the reel to rotate when retraction is desired. The other end of the flexible line is connected to one of the two interlockable parts of the universal adapter. The universal adapter comprises a pair of mutually interlockable adapter parts, e.g., a male adapter part having a portion that plugs into and interlocks with a female adapter part.

A portable device is attached to one part of the universal adapter by means of a second line of flexible material. In this manner, a portable device can be hung from the tethering device. The portable device is readily disconnectable from the tethering device by manual operation of a release mechanism of the universal adapter that allows the two interlocked adapter parts to be disengaged from each other.

The tethering device, in turn, can be attached to any one of a variety of means that can be worn by a person or attached to or hung from a bag, purse, backpack, bicycle, car or other vehicle. Exemplary means include, but are not limited to, a neck cord or strap, a belt buckle, a wrist, arm or leg band, and a loop or clip for attachment to a belt loop, a buttonhole, a purse strap, a rearview mirror in an automobile, a handlebar of a bicycle, and so forth.

To facilitate carrying of the portable device when it is not being handled, the universal adapter and the tethering device are preferably designed so that they are mutually interlockable, e.g., by plugging one part of the universal adapter into a socket or receptacle formed in the housing of the tethering device. Alternatively, in cases where the tethering device is attached to or combined with a cord locking device, the universal adapter may be secured by plugging one of its adapter parts into a socket or receptacle formed in a housing that houses the cord locking mechanism or a housing that houses both the retractable line of the tethering device and the cord locking mechanism.

In the case wherein the universal adapter can be plugged into a socket formed in the housing of the tethering device, the universal adapter may be secured to the tethering device after the retractable line of the tethering CON-P-1 device has been fully retracted. When the universal adapter is coupled to the tethering device, the range of motion of the portable device is limited by the length of the second line of flexible material connecting the portable device to the universal adapter.

Whenever the person carrying the portable device wishes to handle it and move it to a position beyond the aforementioned range, then the securement feature is manually released, thereby uncoupling the universal adapter from the tethering device and allowing the universal adapter and the portable device to be moved further away from the tethering device as the retractable line of the tethering device is extended or unwound from the reel. For example, a person carrying a cell phone may, in response to the phone ringing, uncouple or disengage the universal adapter from the tethering device, grab the cell phone and move it to a position in proximity to an ear. During movement of the cell phone toward that position near an ear, the retractable line of the tethering device extends as necessary. When the person finishes his/her conversation, the telephone can be moved back toward its starting position. During the latter movement, as the cell phone approaches the tethering device, the retractable line is retracted by the spring mechanism (or other means) within the tethering device.

Optionally, the tethering device may be provided with a means for locking the retractable line in an extended position, for example, so that the spring mechanism does not pull on the cell phone while the person is conversing. The means for locking the retractable line in an extended position may be of a type requiring manual operation or a type requiring no action by the cell phone user.

When the tethering device is worn by a person, the portable device can be carried in proximity to and effectively secured to that person, thereby eliminating the possibility that the portable device will be lost or dropped by that person. As explained below, the portable device can be effectively tethered to various parts of the human anatomy, such as the neck, waist, arm, leg or wrist. In each of the various embodiments disclosed hereinafter, the retractable line of the tethering device has a length long enough to allow the portable device to be utilized by the person, but not so long that the portable device could reach the ground when the person is standing. Accordingly, the portable device cannot be dropped and thereby damaged during usage.

The housing and reel of the tethering devise and the universal adapter parts are preferably made of plastic material in cases where low cost of manufacture is desired. However, the same parts may instead be made of metals or metal alloys. Other materials can be used. The present invention is not limited to the use of any particular material in the manufacture of the foregoing components. The flexible line connecting the portable device to the universal adapter is preferably made of plastic material. For example, nylon filament of a type used as fishing line or used to hang picture frames may be utilized. The flexible line connecting the universal adapter to the reel of the tethering device preferably comprises a wire made of metal or metal alloy coated with a plastic material.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the invention wherein a cell phone 2 can be hung from a cord 4 by means of a tethering device 6 having a retractable line 8 made of flexible material, a universal adapter 10 attached to the retractable line 8, and a second line 26 made of flexible material. In FIG. 1, the retractable line 8 is shown partially extracted; in FIG. 2, the line 8 is shown fully retracted. The second line 26 may be in the form of a loop, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

The universal adapter 10 seen in FIG. 1 comprises mutually interlockable adapter parts 12 and 14. The universal adapter has a manually operable mechanism for uncoupling the adapter parts 12 and 14 from each other, thereby untethering the cell phone 2. For example, the universal adapter 10 may comprise a male adapter part 12 consisting of a cantilevered body (not shown in FIG. 1, but see item 16 in FIG. 11) that can be flexed downward in order to facilitate entry of the body into a recess (not shown in FIG. 1) formed in a female adapter part 14, which flexed body snaps into an opening (not shown) that communicates with the recess in the latter when the male adapter part 12 is fully inserted. The engagement of the body of male adapter part 12 in the opening of female adapter part 14 effectively latches the adapter parts together until such time as the body is depressed, thereby disengaging it from the opening in the female adapter part 14, and the adapter parts 12 and 14 are pulled apart. Other types of adapters may be employed. Preferably the universal adapter is made of plastic material, although other materials can be used.

The tethering device 6 comprises a housing 18 having a chamber that constrains a rotatable reel (not shown) on which the line 8 of flexible material can be wound. One end of line 8 is attached to the reel and the other end is attached to the male adapter part 12. The unwound portion of line 8 passes through a small opening (not shown in FIG. 1, but see item 30 in FIG. 12) in the housing 18. The reel may be connected to a spiral spring (not shown) that becomes wound as the reel rotates during payout of the line 8, i.e., when the line 8 is pulled out of the housing, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, other means for causing the spring to wind could be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the tethering device further comprises a mechanism (not shown) that locks the reel in place automatically when paying out of line 8 is halted. The locking mechanism is released by depressing a pushbutton 22 that is partly disposed outside the housing 18. When button 22 is depressed, the reel is released and urged by the spring to rotate in a direction that winds up and thereby retracts line 8. Naturally the spring must be designed to produce a winding force sufficient to overcome the gravitational force exerted on the cell phone or other portable device depending from the tethering device during retraction of line 8.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a locking mechanism could be used that is locked and unlocked by manual operation. Alternatively, the locking mechanism could be of a type that automatically locks the reel in place when payout of line 8 is halted and also automatically unlocks the reel when the end of extended line 8 is pulled forward slightly and then released.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing 18 of the tethering device 6 has an eyelet 20. The tethering device is hung on the cord 4 by means of a clip or ring 32. The cord 4 comprises flexible material having a length sufficient for the cord to be worn around the neck of a person. For other applications, such as hanging a portable device from a buttonhole or belt loop, the cord may be much shorter. Respective connectors 34 and 36 are attached to the ends of the cord. The cord may be made of elastomeric or thermoplastic material, synthetic or natural filaments, or other durable and flexible material. In the alternative, the cord could be replaced by a strap or a hollow tube. To provide comfort and avoid chafing, scratching or other irritation, a cord or hollow tube having a round cross section should be employed.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the connectors 34 and 36 are made of molded plastic material and are designed to be pulled apart by an amount of force that exceeds a safety threshold. In other words, the connectors 34 and 36 will release the cord 4 from a person's neck when the cord is pulled with an amount of force that could be dangerous to the person wearing the cord.

The foregoing quick-release safety feature may be implemented in the manner shown in FIG. 19, which shows the connectors 34 and 36 in an uncoupled state. In accordance with this embodiment, the connectors 34 and 36 are made of molded plastic material. The connector 34 has a rod-shaped male part 38 with an annular bump 40, while the connector 36 has a recess 42 with an annular bump 44. When the connectors 34 and 36 are pushed together with sufficient force, the annular bumps 40 and 44 mutually deform to allow each other to pass. The material and geometry of the bumps 40 and 44 are selected in accordance with a design that seeks to allow bump 40 to pass through bump 44 when the connectors are pulled in opposite directions. Male and female connectors having other profiles or geometries may be utilized.

In accordance with an alternative quick-release safety feature shown in FIG. 20, the neck cord is made of plastic material and has two ends 132 and 134 that plug into respective ends of a hollow rubber tube 136. The ends 132 and 134 of the cord are held together by frictional contact with the interior wall 138 of the rubber tube 136.

Alternatively, the quick-release safety feature may comprise a fastening tape consisting of a strip of nylon with a surface of minute hooks that fasten to a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile or loops. Such fastening tape is commercially available under the trademark Velcro. FIG. 21 shows one implementation of a neck strap 52 having a hooked strip 54 attached to one end and a looped strip 56 attached to the other end. The neck strap 52 can be easily removed from a person's neck by peeling apart the hooked and looped strips 54 and 56.

Returning to FIG. 2, the embodiment depicted therein includes a feature whereby the universal adapter 10 can be plugged into or docked in the housing 18 of the tethering device 6 when the tether line is fully retracted. Alternate implementations of this feature are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, which will de discussed in detail later.

FIG. 3 shows a cell phone depending from a cord 4 by means of a tethering device having a retractable line 8 and a universal adapter 10 attached to the retractable line in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the cord 4 is inverted and two portions of the cord are passed through a cord locking device 46, which is provided with entry and exit openings for each cord portion. Although FIG. 3 shows a cord in the form of an open loop, the cord may be a closed loop. The tethering device is not visible in the front view seen in FIG. 3, but may have the same structure and functionality as the tethering device previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, including that the housing of the tethering device has a receptacle for docking the universal adaptor 10. FIG. 3 shows a position of an undocked universal adapter 10 when the retractable line 8 is partly extended. The universal adapter may have the same structure and functionality as the universal adapter previously described.

As seen in the side view of FIG. 4, the tethering device 6 is attached to the back of the cord locking mechanism 46. More specifically, the housing 18 of the tethering device 6 is attached to a housing 48 of the cord locking mechanism 46. Although the diameters of the tethering and cord locking devices may be approximately the same, as depicted in FIG. 4, their respective diameters can be different.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the cord locking device is in a locked state, the cord locking device clamps to the cord 4 and the tethering device 6 cannot be slid along the cord 4. When the cord locking device is operated to release the cord portions passing therethrough, the tethering device 6 can be slid along the cord 4, allowing the wearer to adjust the position of the cell phone 2 (see FIG. 3) upward or downward. This provides an ergonomic feature whereby the person wearing the system shown in FIG. 3 can adjust the position of the tethering and cord locking devices upward to reduce stress on his/her neck due to the weight of the cell phone being carried. This feature also always the elevation of the carried portable device to be adjusted as a function of the user's body height and to account for whether the person carrying the device is an adult or child. When the person wishes to remove the carrying system from his/her neck, then the position of the tethering and cord locking devices can be adjusted downward to increase the length of the portion of the cord that spans the cord locking mechanism so that the cord can be passed over the wearer's head.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cord locking device 46 depicted in FIG. 4. The cord locking device comprises a press plate 58 that is displaceable in opposite directions that are parallel to an axis of a stem 62. One end of the stem 62 is attached to the press plate 58; the other end of the stem 60 has a button 50 attached to it. The press plate 58 and a portion of the stem 62 reside in a chamber inside the housing 48 of the cord locking device 46. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the housing 48 may be provided with means for restraining the movement of stem 62 so that the latter is only displaceable along its axis.

As seen in FIG. 5, a compression spring 60 is anchored to the back wall of the housing 48 and to the press plate 58 in a manner whereby the spring 60 urges the press plate toward the front wall of the housing 48. The portions of the neck cord 4 that pass through the cord locking device 46 are disposed in the space between the press plate 58 and an opposing portion of the front wall of housing 48. FIG. 5 shows the cord locking device 46 in a state wherein the press plate 58 presses the cord against the front wall of the housing 48, thereby clamping the cord locking device (and the attached tethering device not shown in FIG. 5) to the cord. When the button 50 is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow P, the press plate 58 is moved away from the front wall of the housing 48, thereby releasing the cord 4. In this unlocked state, the cord locking device and attached tethering device can be slid along the cord 4 to adjust their position.

It should be appreciated that the cord locking device depicted in FIG. 5 is disclosed for the purpose of illustration only. Cord locking devices having other mechanisms are known and commercially available and can be incorporated in various embodiments of the present invention. In cases where a neck strap is employed in place of a neck cord, the locking device must be specifically designed to mount to a strap, but the principle of operation as depicted in FIG. 5 may be the same. It is also possible to use a cord or strap locking device that requires no release mechanism in cases where the resistance to movement of the locking device along the cord or strap is so great that there is little risk of the locking device sliding off of the ends of the cord or strap due to the weight of the portable device being supported.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention partly shown in FIG. 6, the tethering and cord locking devices are both incorporated within a single housing to form a tethering device 64. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the tethering device and the cord locking device in accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6. The housing of tethering device 64 may comprise an assembly of three molded plastic parts, which are indicated schematically in FIG. 7. The first housing part comprises a front wall 72 having a perimeter integrally formed with a side wall 74; the second housing part comprises a rear wall 76 having a perimeter integrally formed with a side wall 78; and the third housing part comprises a central wall 80 having a perimeter that is sandwiched between and joined to the side walls 74 and 78. The walls 72, 74 and 80 form a chamber 66 that houses the reel 24 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7) of the tethering device 64, while the walls 76, 78 and 80 form a chamber 68 that houses a spring-loaded press plate 58. The side wall 74 is provided with an opening (not shown in FIG. 7) through which the retractable line 8 (see FIG. 6) passes.

The cord locking mechanism is similar to that previously described with reference to FIG. 5, with one difference being that the stem 62 passes through reel 24 of the tethering device. The walls 72 and 80 are provided with openings to provide clearance for the stem 62. Means (not shown) may be provided to constraining the stem to be movable only along its axis. The cord locking device comprises a compression spring 60 that is anchored to a mounting plate 70 and to the press plate 58. The mounting plate 70 is attached to the rear wall 76. The portions of the neck cord 4 that pass through the cord locking device are disposed in the space between the press plate 58 and an opposing portion of the central wall 80. The spring 60 urges the press plate 58 toward the central wall 80. FIG. 7 shows the cord locking device in a state wherein the press plate 58 presses the cord against the central wall 80, thereby clamping the tethering and cord locking devices to the cord. When the button 50 is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow P, the press plate 58 is moved away from the central wall 80, thereby releasing the cord 4. In this unlocked state, the entire assembly can be slid along the cord 4 to adjust its position and the position of the portable device depending from the universal adapter (only the double male part of which is shown in FIG. 6).

In accordance with one implementation of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the reel 24 of the tethering device is rotatably mounted to and supported by the stem 62 and displaces with the stem as it moves when the button 50 is pressed and released. In this implementation, chamber 66 must provide clearance for the reel 24 as it moves. In accordance with this construction, a spiral spring (not shown in FIG. 7) has one end anchored to the stem 62 and another end anchored to the reel to provide a spring force that urges the reel to rewind the extended line 8 (see FIG. 6) when retraction of that line is desired. Other means could be used in place of the spring to cause the reel to rotate in a direction that winds up the retractable line.

The device depicted in FIG. 7 can be manufactured by attaching one end of stem 62 to the center of the press plate 58 and then attaching the spring 60 to the press plate 58 and mounting plate 70 to form a subassembly. That subassembly is then placed onto the rear wall 76 of the housing and the mounting plate 70 is joined thereto. Then the cord 4 is placed so that one portion lies in two recesses formed in side wall 78 and another portion lies in another two recesses formed in side wall 78, as partly seen in FIG. 6. Then the stem 62 is passed through an opening in the central wall 80. The central wall is pressed into place on top of the cord and then its perimeter is joined to the side wall 78. Then the retractable reel 24 is mounted to the stem 62. At the next stage of manufacture, the stem 62 is passed through an opening in the front wall 72 as the front component of the housing is placed over the reel and then the side wall 74 is joined to the central wall 80. Finally, the button 50 is joined to the other end of the stem 62.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, instead of the tethering device being attached to the back of the housing of the cord locking device, the tethering device 6 may be placed in front of the cord locking device and attached to the protruding end of the stem 62 in place of a button. Otherwise the operation of the tethering and cord locking devices would be as previously described.

As previously described, the cell phone or other portable device can be disconnected from the tethering device by simply uncoupling the universal adapter parts from each other. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, one part 12 of the universal adaptor (which adapter is “universal” in the sense that it can be used with any type of portable device) is attached to the end of the retractable line 8 of the tethering device and stays with the tethering device when the parts of the universal adapter are uncoupled. Conversely, as seen in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the other part 14 of the universal adapter is attached to the cell phone 2 (or other portable device) by means of a line 26 of flexible material and stays with the cell phone when the parts of the universal adapter are uncoupled.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the cell phone 2 is of a type having a short bar 82 separated from the main body of the cell phone by an opening 84. Similarly, the second adapter part 14 has an eyelet 86. The line 26 consists of a loop of nylon filament of the type used for fishing line or to hang picture frames. Nylon filament having a diameter of 10 to 18 mils and a test strength of up to 25 pounds can be utilized for portable electronic device applications. The loop could be made of other flexible material. For heavy-duty applications, the line 26 and other components of the assembly will naturally need to be designed to withstand greater weights.

In accordance with the implementation depicted in FIG. 9, a portion of the loop 26 of nylon filament is threaded through the opening of the eyelet 86 on the adapter part 14 and then the remainder of the loop is passed through that portion of the loop that was threaded, as a result of which the loop 26 is wrapped around a portion of the eyelet 86 and thereby attached to the adapter part 14. Then the other end of the loop is threaded through the opening 84 of the cell phone 2 and wrapped around the bar 82. Then the remainder of the loop and the adapter part 14 are passed through that portion of the loop that was threaded through opening 84, thereby attaching the cell phone to the adapter part 14. Preferably, the loop is not unnecessarily long so that the cell phone, when it hangs from the universal adapter, will be as close to the adapter as possible. Obviously the length of the loop must be sufficient to allow the aforementioned procedures to be performed, including allowing the adapter part 14 to pass through the loop after it has been threaded through the opening 84 of the cell phone 2.

In the alternative, instead of a loop, a length of nylon filament (or filament made of other material) could be used, in which case it would be necessary to tie one end of the filament to the eyelet of the adapter part 14 and tie the other end of the filament to the bar 82. Alternatively, the end of the filament could be glued, taped or otherwise attached to the adapter part and the portable device to be carried.

FIG. 10 shows a method of attaching an adapter part 14 to a cell phone 2 (or other portable device) of a type that lacks an opening through which the loop 26 of nylon filament can be threaded. This implementation involves the attachment of a panel 88 to the back of the cell phone by means of adhesive applied to the portion of panel 88 that lies below the dashed line 92. The portion of panel 88 that lies above the dashed line 92 is not coated with adhesive, so that when the panel is adhered to the back of the cell phone, portion 90 of the panel forms a free flap. The portion 90 has an opening 94 formed therein, which enables the attachment of loop 26 to the panel in the manner previously described with reference to FIG. 9. The self-adhesive panel 90 may be included as part of a kit that includes the tethering device, the universal adapter, the neck cord or other supporting device and so forth. For sale as part of a kit, the adhesive material applied on one side of the panel 88 is adhered to a removable liner of release material that can be easily peeled off when the cell phone owner wants to adhere the panel to his/her cell phone. Obviously, the foregoing technique for attaching the adapter part has application for any portable device that has sufficient free surface area to receive the adhered panel. Also, it should be noted that, although FIG. 10 shows the panel 88 in an off-center position near the top of the cell phone, it may be preferred that the panel be attached nearer to the middle of the phone so that the weight of the phone is distributed equally and the phone does not hang at an angle.

One extremely advantageous aspect of the invention is that the universal adapter 10 can be plugged into the tethering device for storage, thereby decreasing the range of motion of the depending portable device being carried by a moving person or vehicle. FIG. 11 is a schematic that seeks to illustrate the basic concept of plugging the universal adaptor into the housing 18 of the tethering device 6. To properly interpret this drawing, it must be understood that the dashed circle 18 represents the outer profile of the housing of the tethering device, while the solid circle 24 represents the outer circumference of the retractable reel that is housed inside the housing 18. As seen in FIG. 12, the tethering device housing 18 may comprise two molded plastic parts that form a chamber 66. The chamber 66 may be designed to have bearing surfaces that prevent displacement of the reel when the latter is rotating, e.g., during payout or retraction of the line 8. A portion of line 8 passes through an opening 30 in housing 18 and the end of line 18 is attached to a double-ended male adapter part 12.

Returning to FIG. 11, an embodiment of the universal adapter 10 is shown, one adapter part 12 being shown in solid lines and the other adapter part 14 being shown in dashed lines for the sake of clarity. As previously described, a loop 26 of flexible material is attached to a portion of the adapter part 14. To facilitate threading of the loop 26 into an opening on the cell phone or other portable device, a portion of the loop 26 is crimped. The crimped portion 28 is then inserted into the opening first to facilitate threading. Instead of starting with a loop and then crimping, the loop 26 may be formed by crimping together the ends of a length of filament made, e.g., of nylon or other thermoplastic material.

In accordance with the embodiment of the universal adapter depicted in FIG. 11, adapter part 14 is a female adapter part having a recess for receiving a projecting portion of the adapter part 12. The structure of the adapter part 14 for this embodiment is best understood by looking at both of FIGS. 11 and 12, which respectively show adapter part 12 from the top and from the side. The female adapter part 14 is not shown in FIG. 12.

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the adapter part 12 is a double-ended male adapter part preferably formed as a single molded plastic piece. This exemplary adapter part 12 comprises a body 96 having a platform 98 integrally formed therewith and projecting in cantilevered fashion from one side and having a plug 100 integrally formed therewith and projecting in cantilevered fashion from the other side in the opposite direction. The platform 98 has an opening 104. A body 16 is connected to the tip of the platform by a neck that allows the body 16 to flex into and out of the page as seen in FIG. 11. As seen in FIG. 12, the body 16 projects outside the plane of the platform 98. What is not visible in FIGS. 11 and 12 is an opening in the female adapter part 14 that communicates with the recess that receives the platform 98 and body 16 when the male adapter part 12 is plugged into the female adapter part 14. In order to enter the recess, the body 16 is deflected downward into the opening 104 in the platform 98. During this action, the necked portion that connects the body 16 to the platform 98 is flexed, producing a spring force that urges the body back to its original undeflected position. When the platform 98 is fully inserted into the recess of the female adapter part 14, the body 16 becomes aligned with the aforementioned opening in the female adapter part and the flexed neck urges the body 16 into the opening in the female adapter part. When the body 16 snaps into the opening in this manner, the male adapter part is effectively coupled or latched to the female adapter part. In this coupled state, the top of the body 16 protrudes outside of the female adapter part, where it is accessible to the person wearing the universal adapter. By pressing the body 16 with the tip of a finger, the coupled male and female adapter parts can be uncoupled and pulled apart. This manner of coupling and uncoupling male and female parts of an adapter is known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 12, the plug 100 of the double-ended male adapter part 12 plugs into a receptacle 106 formed in the housing 18 of the tethering device 6. One wall of the receptacle 106 has a lip 108. A series of bumps 102 project from one side of the plug 100. When the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle 106 with sufficient force, the bumps 102 snap into place behind the lip 108. The lip 108 now presents an obstacle to removal of the plug 100 from the receptacle 106 by blocking passage of the bumps 102. The resistance to plug removal posed by the lip 102 can be overcome when the male adapter part is pulled out with sufficient force. Naturally, the plug 100 and receptacle 106 must be designed so that the amount of force sufficient to uncouple the universal adapter from the tethering device will be greater than forces produced inadvertently while the depending cell phone or other portable device is being carried by a moving person or vehicle.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment for the plug end of the double-ended male adapter part 12. In this implementation, the plug comprises two prongs 110 and 112. Each prong has a series of bumps 102 that respectively snap behind mutually opposing lips 108 that form part of the receptacle 106. The prongs 110 and 112 are sufficiently thin that they are flexible and can be squeezed together when the person wearing the tethering device wishes to couple or uncouple the universal adapter to or from the tethering device. As seen in FIG. 13, the prongs 110 and 112 should be of sufficient length that there is enough room between base 96 of the male adapter part and housing 18 of the tethering device to accommodate the tips of human fingers.

Although not preferred, for embodiments that have a cord locking device, a receptacle for docking the universal adapter may be provided in the housing of the cord locking device instead of in the housing of the tethering device.

FIG. 14 shows a system for carrying and securing a portable device comprising a tethering device 6 of a type previously described mounted to the front of a cord locking device 46 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The tethering and cord locking devices for this implementation are shown in section in FIG. 15. In this example, the cord locking device is released by pressing a pair of buttons 114 and 116 slidable mounted to the sides of the housing 48 of the cord locking device 46. The buttons 114 and 116 are wedge-shaped and have angled surfaces that contact respective ends of the press plate 58 (previously described). When the buttons 114 and 116 are pressed toward each other so that they abut the press plate 58, they cam the press plate toward the rear wall of the housing 48, as indicated by two small arrows. The amount of force applied to the buttons must be sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 60, which urges the press plate against the cord 4, thereby clamping the tethering device to the cord. When the press plate 58 is cammed rearward, the cord is released and the tethering and cord locking devices can be slided along the cord to a desired position.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a tethering device with a universal adapter can be mounted to a clasp or buckle for fastening two ends of a strap or belt. FIG. 16 shows a cell phone 2 depending from one part 118 of a buckle of a belt 122 by means of a tethering device 6 having a retractable line and a universal adapter 10 attached to the retractable line. A tethering device and a universal adapter of the types previously described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11-13 can be used. The universal adapter is shown coupled to the tethering device in the manner previously described with reference to FIGS. 11-13. The belt 122 is preferably made of heavy-duty non-rolling elastic material and stretches to fit different waistlines. However, the invention may be applied to any belt having a buckle. The buckle shown in FIG. 16 is conventional and comprises a plastic female part 118 and a plastic male part 120 that couples to the female part when inserted therein. The tethering device 6 can be attached to the plastic buckle part 118 by any conventional means, such as gluing. However, the buckle need not be made of plastic. For example, if the buckle is made of metal or metal alloy, then the tethering device could be attached by means of screws. Alternatively, if the housing of the tethering device is also made of metal or metal alloy, the buckle and the tethering device could be soldered or welded together. Alternatively, the tethering device can be manufactured as an integral part of the buckle no matter what material is used.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a tethering device with a universal adapter can be hung from a belt loop or a buttonhole. FIG. 17 shows a cell phone 2 depending from a belt loop 124 of trousers or pants 126. Alternatively, the belt loop could be part of a skirt. A tethering device and a universal adapter of the types previously described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11-13 can be used. The tethering device 6 is hung by means of a clip 128. Alternatively, the tethering device can be hung from the belt loop using a loop of material, a hook or a cord. If a cord is used, then the entire system would be similar to the system shown in FIG. 3, except the cord would be much shorter.

FIG. 18 shows a cell phone 2 depending from a wrist band 130 by means of a tethering device 6 having a retractable line 8 and a universal adapter 10 attached to the retractable line 8 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. The wrist band 130 is preferably made of heavy-duty non-rolling elastic material and stretches to fit different wrist sizes. The tethering device 6 can be attached to the wrist band 130 by any conventional means, such as gluing. A similar band, but larger in size, can be fit on an arm or a leg.

FIG. 22 shows a further embodiment whereby two tethering devices 64 are supported by the same neck cord 4, thereby allowing two portable devices, e.g., a cell phone 2 and an IPOD® music player 140, to be carried at different elevations by a person.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing discussion concerning usage of the invention in conjunction with a cell phone is set forth for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the application of the invention to cell phones. The invention has application with other portable electronic devices, such as pagers, personal digital assistant (PDA) organizers, IPOD® devices, CD players, radios, digital cameras and so forth. Although the invention is well suited for carrying and securing portable electronic devices, which are susceptible to being damaged or lost when dropped, the invention also has application for portable devices that are not electronic, such as tools, keys, gadgets, and so forth.

Each system disclosed hereinabove may be sold as part of a respective kit that includes one male adapter part and multiple female adapter parts. The multiple female adapter parts may be attached to respective portable devices so that those devices can be interchangeably carried using the same system. Furthermore, different support systems could be included in the same kit, each support system having its own male adapter part. Again a multiplicity of female adapter parts could be included in such a kit to facilitate use of different portable devices with the various support systems.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for members thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A system comprising: first and second mutually interlocked adapter parts; a housing having a recess; a rotatable reel housed within said housing; and a retractable first line of flexible material having one end attached to said reel and another end attached to said first adapter part, wherein said first adapter part and said housing recess are mutually interlockable, said first line being alternately extendible and retractable while said first adapter part is not interlocked with said housing recess.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second line of flexible material having one end attached to said second adapter part; and a portable device attached to the other end of said second line.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a flexible cord or strap from which said housing depends when said flexible cord is wrapped around a neck of a person.
 4. The system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a belt buckle to which said housing is attached.
 5. The system as recited in claim 2, further comprising an elastic band to which said housing is attached.
 6. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said portable device is a cellular phone.
 7. A system comprising a first loop an a tethering device suspended from said first loop, said tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material.
 8. The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a portable device linked to said retractable line of said tethering device.
 9. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said first loop has two ends, further comprising a locking device mounted to said first loop, said locking device clamping two portions of said first loop in a locked state and not clamping any portions of said first loop in an unlocked state, said locking device being displaceable along portions of said first loop in said unlocked state, wherein said tethering device is supported by said locking mechanism.
 10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said first loop comprises first and second flexible loop segments connected by a releasable coupling comprising first and second parts that mate in a manner that produces a resistance to said first and second parts being pulled apart by the weight of said portable device, said first and second parts being secured to an end of said first loop segment and to an end of said second loop segment respectively, wherein said coupling is released when said first and second parts are pulled apart with sufficient force to overcome said resistance.
 11. The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising an adapter part secured to said retractable line, wherein said tethering device comprises a housing having a recess and means for interlocking with said adapter part when said adapter part is inserted in said housing recess.
 12. The system as recited in claim 8, further comprising an adapter comprising mutually interlockable first and second adapter parts, said first adapter part being secured to said retractable line; and a second loop that is looped through said second adapter part.
 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said second loop is made of flexible strong plastic material having a crimped portion.
 14. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a panel comprising a base portion adhered to an exterior surface of said portable device and a free flap portion having an opening, wherein said second loop is also looped through said opening in said free flap portion of said panel.
 15. A system comprising a buckle and a tethering device supported by said buckle, said tethering device comprising a retractable line of flexible material.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a portable device linked to said retractable line of said tethering device.
 17. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising an adapter part secured to said retractable line, wherein said tethering device comprises a recess and means for interlocking with said adapter part when said adapter part is inserted in said recess.
 18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein said portable device comprises an opening, further comprising an adapter comprising mutually interlockable first and second adapter parts, said first adapter part being secured to said retractable line; and a second loop that is looped through said second adapter part and through said opening in said portable device.
 19. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a belt, wherein said buckle is attached to said belt.
 20. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein said portable device is a cellular telephone. 